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One-time Marauder for St. Peter's Prep to compete in 89th East-West Shrine

Khalil Wilkes

Stanford, CA -- October 19, 2013: Stanford's Khalil Wilkes celebrates after a touchdown during a game against UCLA at Stanford Stadium. Stanford defeated the Bruins 24-10. 1. Stanford center Khalil Wilkes, a former St. Peter's Prep football player, celebrates a touchdown during a game against UCLA in 2013.
(Photo courtesy of StanfordPhoto.)

After completing a successful senior season at Stanford University, former St. Peter’s Prep offensive lineman Khalil Wilkes will be competing in the 89th East-West Shrine game today in St. Petersburg, Fla., at 4 p.m.

The 6-foot-3, 286-pound center will join over 100 players from around the country in the game — which will be broadcast on the NFL Network — playing for the West Team. It’s a distinction that the former Marauder considers to be a privilege.

“It’s an honor because you have other scouts and people outside your coaching staff choosing you for this game,” said Wilkes, who helped lead the Cardinal to an 11-3 record in 2013, including an appearance in the Rose Bowl against Michigan State.

“It’s nice to see that other people recognize your talent and elect you to such a prestigious game.”

Throughout the week, Wilkes says he has been able to enjoy the weather in the Sunshine State, but the Bergen County native admits his favorite part has been the competition. In addition to going up against several Pac-12 adversaries, Wilkes was introduced to players he hadn’t seen before, most notably Justin Ellis of Louisiana Tech and Evan Gill of the University of Manitoba (Canada).

“It’s good to see talents from other parts of the country because when you go up against competition like this it just shows how good of a player you really are,” said Wilkes, who aspires to play in the NFL.

“This is just the very first step for me, outside of college, toward making that step of trying to make an NFL team next year.”